Wayanad landslide: Armed forces rescue over 1000 people, gear up to save many more

The Indian Armed Forces have intensified rescue operations in Kerala's Wayanad district following the devastating landslides, successfully evacuating over 1,000 individuals from affected areas to safety. Working closely with the civil administration and disaster relief forces, the Armed Forces have been conducting extensive rescue efforts.

Through a combination of improvised bridging and dedicated human effort, over 1000 individuals have been safely evacuated. Rescued individuals are receiving necessary care at the mosque area in Mundakkai, while the deceased are being shifted to the Tea Garden Labour Colony for further action by civil authorities.

Mechanical resources are being employed to clear debris and silt, aiding in the ongoing recovery and relief operations. According to an official statement, four columns from the DSC Centre in Kannur and the 122 TA Battalion are conducting combined rescue efforts alongside the NDRF and state rescue teams.

An additional 60 teams from the Ezhimala Naval Academy have arrived in Chooralmala to support the ongoing rescue operation. The team, led by Lieutenant Commander Ashirvad, comprises 45 sailors, five officers, six fire guards, and a medical doctor. This reinforcement aims to augment the existing rescue efforts and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the landslides.

Brigadier Arjun Segan provided an update on the search and rescue operations in Wayanad. He said, "Adverse weather conditions hindered our progress yesterday, but the situation has improved significantly today, with clearer skies. Currently, our primary objective is to restore the washed-away bridge, which will enable us to deploy engineer and earth-moving equipment, thereby increasing the efficiency of our rescue efforts. Presently, we are utilizing manual digging tools to navigate the rubble."

"Additional resources, including sniffer dogs, advanced bridging equipment, columns, and medical teams, are being mobilized to support the operation. We are well-prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in the coming days," he added.

Additional resources, including engineering task forces and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief columns, have been deployed to support the rescue operations. 

The Indian Coast Guard is also actively engaged in rescue and relief operations, with disaster relief teams providing aid and support on the ground.

Planned actions for the day include executing rescue operations with all six columns, commencing bridge construction on Meppadi-Chooralmala Road, and utilizing airlifted earth-moving equipment. An aerial reconnaissance is scheduled to assess additional resource needs and civil administration requirements.

Agencies